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Ethan Lazarus, MD, MFOMA
- Obesity Medicine and Family Medicine Physician
- Owner and Director of Clinical Nutrition Center since 2004
Why See an Obesity Medicine Physician?
I’ve been helping people find ways to lose weight and improve their health for over 20 years. I’ve discovered that losing weight is about much more than just what the scale says. Here are a few benefits of medical weight loss:
- Improved mental health and happiness.
- Feel better physically, with less pain and more energy.
- Do the things you enjoy, like climbing stairs or skiing all day!
- Improve your health: take fewer medications and having improved blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol levels.
A Comprehensive Approach
Losing weight isn’t just about “eating less and moving more.” This old advice often doesn’t work because our bodies resist change. After weight loss, hormonal hunger signals bring the weight back up to where it started. Gaining weight isn’t a sign of weakness. While habits matter, your genes and environment have a much bigger impact.
That’s why we focus on not just healthy habits but also on changing your environment to support weight loss.
A comprehensive approach to weight management includes:
- A healthy, individualized food plan.
- A reasonable, individualized activity plan.
- Medical management of related problems in a weight-friendly way, including:
- Blood Pressure
- Cholesterol
- Blood Sugar
- Mood / Sleep
- Thyroid
- Weight loss medications, when indicated
You don’t have to do this alone. With my skilled team of professionals, you can explore a comprehensive approach to achieve your goals.

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I highly recommend Clinical Nutrition Center if you are considering a weight loss journey. I have lost 54 lbs using a GLP1 medication. They have provided me with… read more additional tools to use with this medication. I’ve not only lost weight but I’ve lost inches. I’m not only stronger, but toned. I feel amazing! Thank you Dr. Heather, Dr. Lazarus and staff for all your support! I’m going into 2025 strong and healthy!!
Annette
December 24, 2024Dr. Lazarus and his team go above and beyond to provide exceptional care. He is the best doctor I’ve ever had.
Stephanie
December 23, 2024I started with the Clinical Nutrition Center the end of February after being told I needed to lose weight before I could get my knee replacement surgery! After starting with… read more the clinic, I met with Nutritionist, Mary Ellen, weekly and Physician’s Assistant, Jamie, monthly. Everyone at the clinic has been wonderful! They are always encouraging at my weekly weigh-ins. Mary Ellen has been such a great inspiring part of my journey! She has given me a lot of good advice and helpful information. I like the fact that the Nutrition Clinic has always been concerned with my overall health as well as my weight lose. The monthly blood draws and body scans helped me a lot, too. Working with the Clinical Nutrition Center has helped me lose over 100 pounds! My weight has been over 300 pounds for the last 6 years! I now weigh about 206 lbs! My goal is to be under 200lbs and maintain that weight. I know the clinic will help me get there and also maintain my weight lose as well!
Cindi
December 23, 2024 -
Dr. Lazarus is phenomenal. He is an expert across obesity treatments so he is able to find solutions that work for my individual (and changing) circumstances. I have learned so… read more much from him & feel fortunate to have such a capable, compassionate and encouraging practitioner to work with on this journey. Don’t hesitate.
Mary
December 20, 2024Visited the Clinical Nutrition Center in Denver and can’t praise Dr. Lazarus and his team enough. Their genuine approach to understanding individual challenges and crafting tailored solutions was a game-changer… read more for me. No more cycles of dieting and rebounding; just solid, sustainable results. Thanks to Dr. Laz, I’ve found not only better health but a renewed zest for life. Highly recommend!
Brady
August 16, 2023I researched a couple weight loss clinics and I am so glad I landed at CNC. Heather has been beyond helpful, responsive, and compassionate in every way possible. … read more CNC combines nutritional counseling, diet, exercise, and does blood work to make sure that your weight loss journey is safe and effective. Everyone that works here is just wonderful and the staff goes out of their way to make you feel comfortable. I have lost over 40 pounds since I started about a year ago and I am beyond thrilled!
Christine
August 9, 2023 -
I had been to several Denver area weight loss clinics prior to this one and there is just no comparison. Dr. Ethan Lazurus and his entire staff are helpful, kind,… read more knowledgeable and just so easy to work with. They are also very competitive from a pricing perspective, and flexible. I have been going to them off and on for 6+years now and they never make me feel guilty or uncomfortable if I fall of the program, or stop coming regularly. They are always respectful and extremely personable. They always have great recommendations and will share opinions, but are never pushy.
Dene
August 30, 2022I called Dr Lazarus in the middle of the pandemic convinced I had an eating disorder at 69!!!!! He quickly had me understanding that my weight gain and binge… read more eating was biochemical, a component of brain chemistry. This was easy for me to understand because I’m a therapist and it’s a major question I ask in assessing depression. Dr Lazarus is personable, caring, kind and not shaming at all. He adjusted medication and with the help of a wonderful nutritionist, MaryEllen, within 6 months I lost 40 pounds with out being hungry. The staff is supportive, kind, and helps you to understand there is much more going on to weight loss than will power. A lot is determined by changing hormones and brain chemistry. If you are struggling with your weight please give Dr Lazarus a call. You will not regret it. My cholesterol is back to normal, my clothes fit, and my self esteem feels so much better that I’m not to blame. What a team!! Plus, he’s an incredible musician.
Vicki
August 30, 2021 -
Dr. Lazarus and his staff, including Susan Ellis, are exceptional. They tailor each program to the individual and you are never made to feel guilty. They do what… read more works for you, not what some program says. I’ve lost over 50 lbs with them and kept it off for 2 years and I feel great. If it were as easy as just eating less and exercising more, there would not be a trillion dollar industry around weight loss. There is more to it and using all the tools in your tool box should include Dr. Lazarus and his team. I’ve recommended them to family members, co-workers,teammates, and every single one has had a positive experience.
Ptarmigan
February 2, 2021I called Dr Lazarus in the middle of the pandemic convinced I had an eating disorder at 69!!!!! He quickly had me understanding that my weight gain and binge… read more eating was biochemical, a component of brain chemistry. This was easy for me to understand because I’m a therapist and it’s a major question I ask in assessing depression. Dr Lazarus is personable, caring, kind and not shaming at all. He adjusted medication and with the help of a wonderful nutritionist, MaryEllen, within 6 months I lost 40 pounds with out being hungry. The staff is supportive, kind, and helps you to understand there is much more going on to weight loss than will power. A lot is determined by changing hormones and brain chemistry. If you are struggling with your weight please give Dr Lazarus a call. You will not regret it. My cholesterol is back to normal, my clothes fit, and my self esteem feels so much better that I’m not to blame. What a team!! Plus, he’s an incredible musician.
Vicki
January 27, 2021Dr. Lazarus and staff are the best. It is not a fad diet. It is medically sound and overseen by the best in the business. I… read more always feel encouraged and never feel ashamed when I have to return to get back on track. This business has been around for a very long time…this says something about the success. I highly recommend CNC.
Patricia
January 27, 2021 -
I have been going to CNC for almost 13 years! I can’t say enough good things about them. Dr. Lazarus and his team have always been professional and caring. If u… read more are looking to lose weight and keeping it off then CNC is the place for you. I highly recommend them.
Nicole
January 27, 2021Dr. Lazarus is the best! He is a national expert on all things obesity. When my patients move to Denver, I refer them without hesitation to him, and they… read more get the very best care!!!
Rob
January 26, 2021Dr. Lazzarus, Susan and the front office staff are great! I started at CNC in October 2020 due to weight loss needs before my knee replacement. Dr. L is so… read more positive, intelligent and passionate about his parents’ journey and takes the time to explain the physiological and psychological changes happening. Susan, my dietitian, really plays a key role in the nutritional planning. I love all of the data at my finger tips in the patient portal. The cost is reasonable with an option for weekly pmts. Today I’m down from 195 to 170.6….Make the call for your free consultation—YOU ARE WORTH THE INVESTMENT! Real Food. Real People. Real Results.
Sheri
January 26, 2021 -
The store at the Clinical Nutrition Center is very convenient for picking up the food items I need to support my program with Dr. Lazarus. After the excellent check in,… read more counseling and examination care I receive from CNC staff, I go shopping for the shakes, bars and meal replacements I need. The variety is great with new products being introduced often. I would not be successful with my weight loss were it not for the high protein items I purchase. When I don’t have an upcoming appointment or can’t make it in, I order online and within a couple days I am restocked. Thank you, CNC!
Nancy
August 30, 2020
Are you ready to take the first step?
More information on Dr. Lazarus
- American Board of Family Medicine: Since 1999
- American Board of Obesity Medicine: Since 2012 (first year offered)
- Undergraduate: University of Pennsylvania and the Wharton School
- MD: University of Colorado Health Sciences Center
- Residency: Family Medicine, John Peter Smith hospital, Ft. Worth, Texas
- Physician and Owner of Clinical Nutrition Center since 2004, a privately owned medical practice
- President (2021 – 2022) for the Obesity Medicine Association, a society with over 5,000 physicians and other healthcare providers treating obesity
- Past-President (2022 – 2024) for the Obesity Medicine Association
- Secretary-treasurer, Vice-President, President-Elect, Board of Trustees (2014 – 2021) for the Obesity Medicine Association
- Diplomate: American Board of Obesity Medicine
- Board Certified: American Board of Family Medicine
- Specializes in medical weight loss
- Delegate in the American Medical Association
- Healthcare Advocate of the Year. Obesity Action Coalition. November 2018.
- Obesity Medicine Clinician of the Year. Obesity Medicine Association. October 2015.
- Peter G. Lindner Award. Obesity Medicine Association. October 2018.
- Vernon B. Astler Award. October 2013.
New York Times
Few Signs of a Taste for Diet Pills
AMA:
What doctors wish patients knew about anti-obesity medication | American Medical Association
With U.S. obesity rate over 40%, 3 treatment keys for doctors
Person-first, preventive approach needed to tackle obesity
WebMD
Life After Ozempic: What Comes Next
Biggest Weight Gain Now Comes Early in Adulthood
VeryWell MD
Life After (Weight) Loss: With significant weight loss comes complicated feelings
Hone
Wegovy vs Phentermine: Which Is Better for Weight Loss?: It comes down to results, side effects, and affordability.
My Phentermine Stopped Working—Now What?
Medscape
Obesity Medications: Who Needs Priority Access
Launching an Obesity Medicine Practice? Key Considerations
Hanging in the Balance: Reports Aim to Propel Obesity Care Forward
AARP
AARP updated their statement on spotting weight loss scams. Read more here.
Bloomberg
Medical Economics
As this year comes to a close, it offers clinicians a chance to reflect on the current state of obesity medicine and look ahead to what’s next. The COVID-19 crisis will still be top of mind forcing our field to continue to adapt — this will be particularly true for our colleagues involved in obesity treatment. Click here to read more.
Bariatric Times
The culmination of another year offers clinicians a chance to reflect on the current state of obesity medicine and look ahead to the developments on the horizon. Certainly, we can expect our field to continue reacting and responding to the COVID-19 crisis — and this will be particularly true for our colleagues who practice bariatric surgery. Patients with obesity are at a significantly higher risk of adverse health outcomes as a result of COVID-19, and these dedicated healthcare professionals play a vital role in helping to stem one of our country’s most pressing public health concerns. Click here to read more.
Health Monitor
Overcoming medical barriers to weight loss
Prevention
What 10 Obesity Experts Wish You Knew About Weight Loss.
Endocrine Society
Liquid Meal Replacements: Better Than Other Weight Loss Options?
Everyday Health
Why Calling Obesity a Disease Is a Good Thing
Journey Talk Live
Dr. Lazarus was the featured guest on Journey Talk Live, a show hosted by Dr. Nick Slenkovich. Dr. Slenkovich is a plastic surgeon in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. This interview explores the ins and outs of medical weight loss. You can watch the interview on Facebook Now.
Wall Street Journal
Overcoming Misconceptions About Diabetes
PWN Health
Rhythm Pharmaceuticals to offer free genetic testing for rare forms of genetic obesity. Click here to read more.
Personal Information
- Born: Denver, Colorado, raised in Greenwood Village, practiced family medicine in Littleton, and now lives in Lone Tree!
- Married with 3 children
- Enjoys biking, running and skiing
- Accomplished musician – cellist, pianist, composer. Click here for more info…
- Obesity Pillars:
- Appropriate use of the fixed-dose, extended-release combination of naltrexone and bupropion as treatment for obesity in primary care
- OMA President’s perspective: A new journal will help us overcome obesity
- Obesity pillars roundtable: Phentermine – Past, present, and future
- Cancer and Obesity: An Obesity Medicine Association (OMA) Clinical Practice Statement (CPS) 2022
- Future of Obesity Medicine: Fearless 5-year predictions for 2028
- Book Chapters